Twelve workers were killed and 30 injured in a chemical factory explosion at Sigachi Chemicals near Hyderabad. The blast caused a massive fire, collapsing a building and sparking panic. Officials are investigating the cause, with rescue and relief efforts ongoing. Most victims were migrant workers.
A massive explosion at a chemical factory in Telangana’s Sangareddy district claimed the lives of 12 workers and injured around 30 others on Monday. The incident took place at Sigachi Chemicals, located in the industrial area of Pashamylaram, near Hyderabad.
The blast occurred during working hours, when 66 employees were present inside the facility. According to initial reports, the explosion triggered a large fire that quickly spread throughout the premises, reducing the three-storey manufacturing unit to rubble. The fire was so intense that it engulfed adjacent buildings within the factory complex and sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky, causing panic among workers and employees in neighboring factories.
Eight workers died on the spot, while four others succumbed to injuries at hospitals. Two of the deceased, Abhishek Kumar from Bihar and Nagarjit Tiwari from Odisha, were confirmed by hospital sources in Madinguda. Many of the victims were migrant laborers hailing from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and other states.
Rescue operations were swiftly launched with the assistance of eleven fire engines, which managed to bring the blaze under control. Firefighters, police, and personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA), Revenue Department, and local administration worked tirelessly to rescue those trapped and provide emergency medical aid.
The sheer force of the explosion hurled workers several meters into the air, according to eyewitnesses. In the aftermath, earthmovers were deployed to clear the debris, and four more bodies were recovered from the rubble of the collapsed building.
Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha and Labour Minister G. Vivek visited the accident site to assess the situation and offer support. Raja Narasimha stated that the cause of the explosion had yet to be determined. He added that Sigachi Chemicals, a 40–45-year-old company, specializes in the manufacture of Microcrystalline cellulose.
Minister Vivek confirmed that 12 of the injured were in critical condition and had been placed on ventilator support due to severe respiratory damage. He also noted that the factory manager was among the deceased and that essential records, including worker attendance and safety logs, had been destroyed in the fire.
While early reports suggested a reactor malfunction, Minister Vivek clarified that the blast did not originate from a reactor. Instead, a fault in the air dryer system is currently being considered the most likely cause.
The tragic incident drew immediate responses from top state officials. Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He also instructed LETF Principal Secretary M. Dana Kishore to ensure that victims receive the best possible medical assistance.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed shock and grief at the explosion. He directed all concerned authorities to intensify rescue efforts and provide the best medical treatment to the injured. His office stated that all necessary measures would be taken to prevent further loss of life.
High-ranking officials, including Director General of Fire Services B. V. Narayana and HYDRAA Commissioner A. V. Ranganath, rushed to the site. Collector P. Pravinya and Superintendent of Police Paritosh Pankaj are overseeing the rescue and recovery operations on the ground.
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This catastrophic incident has once again raised serious concerns about industrial safety protocols and the working conditions of laborers, especially migrant workers, in hazardous industries.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on rescuing any survivors, providing critical care to the injured, and determining the exact cause of the deadly blast. The state government has promised a thorough inquiry and pledged support to the victims and their families.
